Page:A Chinese Biographical Dictionary.djvu/110

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A Chinese Biographical Dictionary
91

Kiangsi, then in the power of the rebels, and took it by storm; upon which Ch'ên Hao abandoned his design upon An-ch'ing and returned to meet the foe in his rear. His fleet, while ascending the river Kan, encountered that of Wang Shou-jen; and after an obstinate engagement, Ch'ên Hao was defeated and taken prisoner. He was shortly afterwards executed at T'ung-chou, on the Emperor's return from his ill-fated journey to the south.

220 Ch'ên Hêng 陳恒. A man of the Ch'i State, who assassinated his sovereign, B.C. 479, in consequence of which crime Confucius begged the ruler of the Lu State to send a punitive expedition against Ch'i.

221 Ch'ên Hsiang 陳襄 (T. 述古). 11th cent. A.D. A native of Foochow, distinguished for his labours in the cause of education in his native province. He also held several provincial posts, in which he effected many useful reforms. In 1068 he was sent on a mission to the Kitan Tartars; and a year later, as a Censor, he vigorously opposed the innovations of Wang An-shih, who ultimately sent him back to the provinces. He was recalled by the Emperor shortly before his death at the age of 63, and appointed sub-Reader in the Han-lin College. Ssŭ-ma Kuang and several other leading men were recommended by him to the Emperor.

222 Ch'ên Hsien 陳咸. 1st cent. B.C. and A.D. A high legal official under the Emperors Ai Ti and P'ing Ti of the Han dynasty. Unable to countenance the changes introduced by Wang Mang, he tendered his resignation; and when Wang Mang usurped the throne, he and his three sons all declined to hold office, and retired into private life. He concealed all his legal books and documents in a wall, and continued to use the old calendar of the Hans, declaring that he could not recognise the new calendar of the Wang family. His reputation had been that of a just judge, and he strongly impressed upon